Former Oasis Drummer Tony McCarroll Discusses Reunion Tour

Tony McCarroll, the former drummer of Oasis, who famously sued the Gallagher brothers after his dismissal from the band in 1995, has broken his silence regarding the band’s upcoming reunion tour.

In a recent interview, often referred to as the “forgotten man of Oasis,” McCarroll shared his thoughts about Noel and Liam Gallagher’s reunion tour. This much-anticipated event will feature a 14-show run in the UK and Ireland next summer, marking their first performances together since their 2009 breakup.

McCarroll expressed no bitterness about not being invited back for the reunion tour or missing out on the financial windfall it promises. “I’m happy for Noel and Liam. Really happy for them,” he told MailOnline. “And I’m dead happy for the fans more than anything and for those generations who haven’t seen Oasis.”

McCarroll’s journey with Oasis began in the late Eighties when the band was still called “The Rain,” and Noel Gallagher had not yet joined. Once Noel came on board and the band rebranded as Oasis, McCarroll became their drummer, contributing to their iconic first two albums: 1994’s Definitely Maybe and 1995’s What’s The Story (Morning Glory?).

However, tensions between McCarroll and Noel Gallagher started to escalate, resulting in repeated arguments. Noel felt McCarroll wasn’t skilled enough to handle the band’s new material, leading to his dismissal in 1995. He was subsequently replaced by Alan White, who stayed with Oasis until 2004.

Following his departure, McCarroll sued Oasis, alleging that he had been “unlawfully expelled from the partnership.” He claimed he was owed royalties amounting to £18 million as part of his five-album deal with Creation. Ultimately, McCarroll settled out of court for £600,000 in March 1999, relinquishing all future royalties claims.

McCarroll disclosed that his former bandmates had not contacted him about the reunion tour. “They haven’t reached out yet and to be honest I’m not holding my breath,” he said. “Would I consider being involved? I don’t know. At the end of the day, I’m not the only ex-member left behind, so I’ll just crack on.”

Regarding whether he will attend a reunion show, McCarroll remains indecisive. “I haven’t made up my mind if I’m going to watch them play next year either. I was at their last-ever gig in the UK at the V Festival. It’s weird and ironic that I was there at the first and last gig.”

McCarroll was unsurprised by the band’s comeback announcement, having predicted they would time it with the 30th anniversary of the Definitely Maybe album. He mused, “I think we all knew it was going to happen and it had to happen. Whether it’s been a blag for 15 years, I haven’t got a clue. They’re brothers at the end of the day—maybe their mum Peggy clashed their heads together and said ‘sort it out’.”

Reflecting on his relationship with Noel, McCarroll told The Guardian in 1999, “I don’t have a bad thing to say about Noel Gallagher. He’s an a******* though. We were in it together. I worked my b*****ks off to set up the group. I was a member of a super-group one day and unemployed the next. I was trying to work out how.”

Despite the turmoil, McCarroll stated he is no longer angry and would like to reconnect with Noel. “I last saw Liam just before Christmas and it was all hugs and kisses with him. We’re not on the phone to each other but the relationship is amicable, we’re all good. I’ve not spoken to Noel in a while, but I’d love to see all of them again. It would be lovely if something nice happened, but I don’t expect anything. If it does, then great, nice ending to it all.”

In the 2016 documentary Supersonic, soundman Mark Coyle mentioned how McCarroll struggled during the Definitely Maybe tour due to ongoing tensions with Noel. “You’d have to feel for the boy. I’ll put my hand up with the rest of the band and say I gave him a terrible time as well,” Coyle admitted.

Source: MailOnline, The Guardian